The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-12-09
Court Proceedings.

When Court opened on Monday MORN
ing Judge Elwell and Associate Judge Nc
Henry were on the bench. A telegram
from Centralia announced the illness Of
Judge Murphy, and his inability to be pres
ent.
Judge Elwell announced from the bench
just before the clerk of the quarter sessions
began to take constables' returns, that, 10
his opinion, that part of the recent liquor
law which directs constable to visit at
least once a month every place in his bali.
wick where liquor is sold, is imperative
as to a constable elected before the
passage of the act, or before the thir-
teenth day of May, 1887; because, as to
him, the act is unconstitutional, as impos-
ing upon him without compensation duty
which did not exist at the time of his elec.
tion; but that it is constitutional as 10
constable elected or appointed since the
date mentioned. Where a constable had
undertaken at this term to report such vis-
its, he was required to make his return
complete; but where he had not under
taken to report, he was held not bound to
do so. Constables elected hereafter must
make the visits and reports.
IL charging the grand jary upon the
subject of application to make a bridge a
county bridge, Judge Elwell said that re-
cent legislation had modified the law. He
stated the former participation to the
Court for appointment of viewers; action
and report of viewers, action OF grand
jury upon favorable report of viewers, ap-
proval by Court of favorable report of
grand jury, approval also by the board of
county commissioners, entry of bridge
upon record as county bridge, to be
thenceforth maintained by the county.
Now, however, the commissioners, instead
OF entering the bridge as a county bridge,
may offer to aid the townships in the con-
struction by a certain amount out OF the
county finds, or they may agree with the
townships to build certain part, as the
abutments, leaving the construction OF the
rest to the Townships or, MS different In
stance, the county may build the super
structure and the to wnships the foundation
OF the bridge. Whether this statute pro.
vides an improved method may be better
ascertained in the future; but, as the gen.
eral principle that the county is to inter
vene only where the expense Is too great
for the townships to bear alone, remains
unaltered, it is proper that the grand jury
should know this change in the law, and
should act In view Of it.
"After dlsposing of other matters, 1t ID
usual for the grand jury to examine the
public buildings, and t. make such report
of their condition as they shall deem proper,
You cannot fail to observe that great i'm
provement has been made in the appear
ance OF this room since Court was here las
convened. The ceiling had become unsafe
from leakage at the time the roof was re
paired and before that time; it was neces
sary to have a new ceiling at any rate
and, in the opinion of the Court, it wal
wise, while repairs were In progress, L
thoroughly renovate the Court room, which
has been done in a manner, as 1t appear
to us, creditable to the county. We hav,
now a Court room equal 10 any In tn,
country round about usi its acoustics wer,
always excellent, and now the room is con
veDient and one OF which the county MAJ
be justly proud, A former grand jury re
commended the removal of the long row
Of steam pipes, and connecting with thu
steam heat furnished by the company In
town; this has been done, and the heat Il
more equable and more easily controlled
The steam heat from the boiler in the Cour
house was great improvement over any
former means OF heating the building, anu
this is great improvement over that. The
| woodwork seems to be substantial snd